Kudos to Public Mobile, Amazed by Community Members!

[Ashley]

Hi,

I have to say bravo to Public Mobile to build such a structure that they get community members like you guys here to do most of their work for them for dirt cheap.

If you really think about it, you guys spend so much time here supporting others and doing PM's job for a reward as low as $1 a month to most $6 a month.

Lets say if you are spending one hour a day per month providing support here that is like:

$0.033 per hours to $0.20 per hour.

Would any of you work anywhere for $0.033/hr to $0.20/hr pay??

Its also amazing when PM tried to increase the price of fall promo, most of these same members who always suck up to PM in their response here, depending PM, were the same ones that turn their back against PM and bombard PM with negative commands.

However, once, PM backtracked and cancelled the price increase, these same community members are back to suck up to PM again just to earn $1 to $6 per month ($0.033/hr to $0.20/hr).

Its amazing work by PM to get members to work for so cheap!!

And its amazing that some people would work for so cheap without even realizing it...

[will13am]

@Ashley, I think you have made your point and you have heard the counter points.  Time to either move on or contribute.  It is all up to you.  No point in continuing to criticize others for what they do. 

[Ashley]

@mimmo you are right about that some people do reliaze what they are getting themselves into but they would do it anyways.

[Korth]

@NDesai

I'm all for PM rewarding members in more tangible ways.

Virgin used to send random text messages with various coupons, barcode images, and promo text codes.  Which was great ... except their particular choices/sponsors were generally weird, stupid, or ripoff stuff that nobody in their right mind would ever buy anyways.

I mean ...

... $25 promo code at a car dealership three cities away?

... one complimentary beverage at the Dynasty Dumpling House when four meals are ordered?

... 10% off my next visit to the Bushido Tattoo Parlour in Calgary?

... a free installation quote on my next visit to the furnace specialists?

... 10% off any specially-marked purse at Roots in Metrotown?

Maybe not entirely useless and stupid.  Somebody might actually be looking to buy a new car or tattoo or purse or furnace or dumpling, that's cool.  But it still seemed like a great idea that was horribly implemented.  The offers tended to have more comedy value than retail value.

[mimmo]

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@Ashleywrote:

Hi,

I have to say bravo to Public Mobile to build such a structure that they get community members like you guys here to do most of their work for them for dirt cheap.

If you really think about it, you guys spend so much time here supporting others and doing PM's job for a reward as low as $1 a month to most $6 a month.

Lets say if you are spending one hour a day per month providing support here that is like:

$0.033 per hours to $0.20 per hour.

Would any of you work anywhere for $0.033/hr to $0.20/hr pay??

Its also amazing when PM tried to increase the price of fall promo, most of these same members who always suck up to PM in their response here, depending PM, were the same ones that turn their back against PM and bombard PM with negative commands.

However, once, PM backtracked and cancelled the price increase, these same community members are back to suck up to PM again just to earn $1 to $6 per month ($0.033/hr to $0.20/hr).

Its amazing work by PM to get members to work for so cheap!!

And its amazing that some people would work for so cheap without even realizing it...

---

I think my biggest issue with your points is when you say without realizing it. People know how much time they put in and what they get in return financial and otherwise.

How much time do people spend on facebook, all that time puts money in Facebook's pockets. 

Watching tv spending time inline inline etc rather post and help here than waste time on Facebook .

[Ashley]

@wetcoaster, this is not a troll or rant.

I am just discussing some valid observations.

@NDesai thanks for sharing your comments and idea.  These are great ideas.

[NDesai]

Exactly why i have been suggesting to PM to take care of us because they haven't done anything worthy only for us. Community Rewards are nothing compare to the work we put in. They should realize that and do something to make us happy. Something like an exclusive promo to community members only. Last year, i suggested an idea to launch the fall promo for community members only. But it didn't go anywhere. I hope PM changes their mind and think again about us community members. 

[torontokris]

Valid point / observation. If you dont like the rewards you are not obligated

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@Ashleywrote:

Hi,

I have to say bravo to Public Mobile to build such a structure that they get community members like you guys here to do most of their work for them for dirt cheap.

If you really think about it, you guys spend so much time here supporting others and doing PM's job for a reward as low as $1 a month to most $6 a month.

Lets say if you are spending one hour a day per month providing support here that is like:

$0.033 per hours to $0.20 per hour.

Would any of you work anywhere for $0.033/hr to $0.20/hr pay??

Its amazing work by PM to get members to work for so cheap!!

And its amazing that some people would work for so cheap without even realizing it...

---

Valid point and observation. I guess its true. However how many forums offer rewards like cash back or rebate etc.

If you dont like the payout you dont need to participate. Its not mandatory participation nor an obligation of your phone service.

[wetcoaster]

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@Ashleywrote:

I know that there may be some people here who just like helping people out but it seems like majority of people here are usually spending hours and hours of their time here just hunting for "bravos" so that they can get on the monthly contribution list and get that $1 to $6 per month reward.

Would any of you work anywhere for $0.033/hr to $0.20/hr pay??

---

Your first post was pointing out some valid observations. With this accusation you are putting yourself into the trolling section.

While there is the odd person who comes here for the rewards only (usually short lived behavior), the majority is here to give back and help people - the community rewards are a pure side effect of that. (But appreciated nevertheless, as others have pointed out - there was no obligation for PM to come up with the community rewards.)

[Watoko]

I actually didn't read @Korth's post before I posted mine, but glad to see we have a similar perspective. 🙂 Great discussion topic though.

[Ashley]

Thanks @Korth and @Watoko

[Ashley]

@stonechucker there is nothing political,  These are just observations, you are missing the point.

[Ashley]

@stonechucker I am certaintly not telling people where they should be spending their time.

Its just an observation.

[Ashley]

@koimr1 I am not concluding that anyone should work for such a low wage.

It was just a comparison and a question to make people realize.

[Watoko]

Good observation, and certainly valid arguments. I think of it more as the fact that we are community members and in no way employed with PM (directly at least) gives us the power to heavily criticize the company whenever things go sour...something that you would not be able to do if we were employed by PM - you would get sacked easily.

That being said, I do think that it is necessary that people help out on these community forums to create a sense of culture and close-knitness amongst us as consumers. This then allows it to be put to good use (as seen with the recent online protests and discussions regarding PM's proposed price hikes), when we can actually have the power to change things to benefit us, as consumers in the end. This still amazes me that we were able to change a major corporate decision with just the community.

If nobody helped each other, then we wouldn't have such a strong community presence, and PM would have likely proceeded with the price increase anyway as seen with the Big 3. I think that is what is unique about PM and their community.

Just food for thought as well. But I certainly do see your arguments; I am thinking more big picture and offering another perspective other than the usual "I want to give back" that everyone touts about.

[Korth]

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@Ashleywrote:

Whats more amazing is that most of these people they really suck up to PM in their response so that they can get on the better side of PM and can get on the reward list but when the price increased was annouced, these same people turned their back and bombard PM with hatred.

---

You're right, at least about "some" of these people if not "most" of them.  How quickly loyal sheep turn into snarling wolves, my grandmother used to say.

But I counter your assertion with two important observations:

1. Many of the "highest ranking" community members (including some of the Oracles) have spoken up quite often against Public Mobile, called out unacceptable behaviour, condemned unethical behaviour, demanded answers and explanations and changes, etc.
2. Public Mobile actually pays attention to and responds to user feedback, they implement user suggestions, they do make a real effort to please their subscribers.  Of course they're not going to bend over backwards to serve our slightest whimsies, and we don't get everything we want - but we do get a lot, PM is far from perfect but it makes a lot more effort and compromises than any other carrier I could name.

True, I "earn" less money per month on my community rewards than a fast food employee earns after one hour of work.  And I recognize PM is first and foremost a business, they sell a service and I buy a service, so "community" is ultimately just a euphemism.

I do volunteer a little of my time to the PM community - by which I mean I don't work for PM but I do work to help other people here.  They've helped me out before, I return the favour.  I don't even do it a lot, sporadic short bouts of activity followed by long vacations away from PM.  Just saying there are "rewards" beyond the fist full of loonies.

[stonechucker]

@koimr1, probably a political schill for a right leaning party.  Always trying t save a penny for hte large corporate business.

[stonechucker]

@Ashley. omstead of telling us who provide our time and dedication to the Community, as volunteers for those others who are seeking assistance, why don't you go elsewhere and spread your evil words there.

I do not work for Public Mobile.  I am a community member, and as with everyother community I've ever been a part of, I've never have expected a payment for offering a response to another's question(s), to help them resolve their issue, and get them on their way.

When I first joined, I was provided assistance for commnity members also - I'm simply returning the favour, and enjoying doing it.

I have the time to spend in the forum.  I choose to spend my time here, when I can.

[koimr1]

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@Ashleywrote:

I know that there may be some people here who just like helping people out but it seems like majority of people here are usually spending hours and hours of their time here just hunting for "bravos" so that they can get on the monthly contribution list and get that $1 to $6 per month reward.

Would any of you work anywhere for $0.033/hr to $0.20/hr pay??

---

That's quite a leap going from people helping on a forum to concluding that they must be willing to work for an absurdly low wage.

[will13am]

Perhaps we should unionize and lobby for minimum wage at least.  I see if this way, the community is the backbone to this uniquely built service.  Since I am using the service, I don't mind participating so as to the keep the service going the way it was originally designed and intended to run.  It is a symbiotic relationship unlike any other service. 

However, if they raise the price 25% and use that to force my departure, I have no other recourse but to oppose the change.  It is a natural defence mechanism. 

As the slavemaster, Public Mobiles get to call the shots.  If they say, get up and leave, I am going to do it and display my displeasure on the way out.  For now, everything is back to normal.  So it is business as usual until the next time if there is a next time.

[srlawren]

Alright, I'll give that some consideration, @Ashley.  Happy Tuesday to you!

[Ashley]

@srlawren Thanks for your comment.

I was trying to make a few points here.

1) This is a really good strategy by PM.

2)  Just raising awarness for how cheap people would agree to work without even realizing. 

I know that there are people here who helpout because they like to, however, you can't deny that there are who spends hours and hours just to get the $1 to $6 reward.

I wonder if you ask these people to spend this time for volunteer work for lets say cancer support or anything more impactful, if they would do that.

3) Self respect.  How can people suck up until the price is raise then start bad mouthing and then go back to sucking up when the price increase was cancelled.  It shows no self-respect.

Just something to think about.... 

[srlawren]

@Ashley Loyalty has it's limits.  I'm not sure what point you're trying to make here, really.  Of course we would leave if it doens't make sense for us to stay.  Public Mobile isn't for everyone.  It wasn't before the price increase issue and it still isn't after.  But for those for whom it works, it works pretty well.  

Yes the rewards are a pittence, and yes we can lob the easy questions and do a first line of triage essentially, directing people to the mods when needed.  You're quite correct that PM (more likely: Telus) has realized this is cheaper than actually fixing the issues that occur over and over, or paying more mods to deal with all the mundane stuff here in the community.  It's pretty smart strategy really.  On the bright side, has any other community where you've been helpful given you any financial benefit?  I'm guessing probably not.  So, it's not large, but if you like being here and behing helpful, it's a few bucks off your bill.  I don't think anyone here is doing it for a living.  

[Ashley]

I am just being honest here and telling what I have noticed, there no hate 🙂

Whats more amazing is that most of these people they really suck up to PM in their response so that they can get on the better side of PM and can get on the reward list but when the price increased was annouced, these same people turned their back and bombard PM with hatred.

But then when the price increase was cancelled, these same people went back to sucking up again.

Lets say if the price increase was not cancelled, how many of these members would continue to say here and provide community support???

I bet 90% would have been gone.

[Ashley]

I know that there may be some people here who just like helping people out but it seems like majority of people here are usually spending hours and hours of their time here just hunting for "bravos" so that they can get on the monthly contribution list and get that $1 to $6 per month reward.

Would any of you work anywhere for $0.033/hr to $0.20/hr pay??

[mimmo]

People are not really here for the money but it is a nice incentive . We all know that More money can be made by returning pop bottles and shopping carts to quote a previous community member.

[closng]

Definitely a great structure and incentive program that Public Mobile has put in place to get many users to contribute to the community and help each other out.

However, regardless of rewards or not, I am sure there are quite a few members that are more than happy to help even without the rewards in place, for the same reason why people post in other online community forums, when there is no incentive in place.

[Civic_E]

@AshleyI got benefitted because of their screw up...I am sure there are others who did too.

Yah you are right about people investing their time for so little benefit.

This place is like a 24/7 call-centre with 100+ employees.